Language and communication development is about how children express themselves, their wants and needs, and share what they are thinking as well as understand what is said to them.
Language and communication is also a way for children to build strong connections with the people in their lives. Quality interactions will help children’s brains develop and strengthen their language and communication development.
Here’s some examples of what most children are expected to do at ages 3, 4 and 5 within this developmental domain.
3 year old:
- talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
- asks “who” “what” “where” or “why” questions, like “where is mommy/daddy?”
- says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running” or “playing”
4 year old:
- says sentences with four or more words
- says some word from a song, story, or nursery rhyme – talks about at
- least one thing that happens during their day
- answers simple questions like “what is a crayon for?”
5 year old:
- tells a story she heard or made up with at least two events
- answers simple questions about a book or story after you read
- keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
- uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat/ ball-tall)
There are also some key things to look for in each domain that can assist in detecting delays in development that may require additional support, or a developmental screening and evaluation.
Definition
Strategies
Developmental Milestones
Resources
Detecting Delays
Who to Contact
Screening/Monitoring